Can I run with a blister?

If you’ve got a fluid-filled bubble on your foot, you might be wondering, “Hmm…Can I run with a blister?” The answer is yes, you can run with a blister. Just make sure you give it some proper treatment before heading back out for another run.

If the blister is small, cover the area with a bandage or specialized blister patch from the store. That’s all you should need.

If the blister is very large, you might need to drain the bubble. Using a sterilized needle, poke a tiny hole and let the fluid come out. After it’s done, put some antibiotic cream on the area and bandage it. Don’t try to peel the skin off—it’s protecting the blister from infection. Instead, wait a few days for that skin to dry out and then remove it from the top of the blister.

If it still hurts too much when you run, stop and rest for a few days. It may be a good time to take a look at your shoes and socks and see if they’re causing the problem. For more advice, call Dr. Brian McDowell and Dr. Gavin P. Ripp at the McDowell Orthopedics & Podiatry Group at (916) 961-3434.